DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12293, 10 June 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

SIXTEENTH DEBATE ON THE MARRIAGE BILL. The Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, which may be described as a hardy annual, again came before the House of Commons on April 25, and the second reading was carried by a substantial majority. It was on all fours with preceding legislation on the subject, seeking to legalise not only the marriage of a man with his dead wife's sister for the future, but all such marriages in the past as have not been the mbject of actions at law. Such a Bill has 15 times reached the stage of second reading by the Commons. The present measure, was in charge of Sir Gilbert Parker, who presented a petition from 75,000 women of Birmingham and suburbs in its favour. Sir Joseph Leese seconded the motion. The second reading was opposed by Sir John Kennaway, Mr. Ivor Guest, Lord Edmund Talbot, Sir James Fergusson, Mr. Cripps, K.C., and others. Mr. Winston Churchill said if the Christian marriage was not to have the sanction of religion and immemorial tradition, let them at least be scientific, and add to the number of Royal Commissions by appointing one of doctors and business men to investigate the subject or Christian morality and sexual relation.,. When the division was taken the figures were : — For the second reading ~, *.. 164 Against » 94 Majority ... ' .« 70 Sir Gilbert moved that the Bill be referred to the Grand Committee on Law. jt'he mattei was debated for some time, and ultimately earned on a division by a majority ; of 74.